Judas DeLuca stood out in the middle of the woods, a little while away from the small cabin he currentlyA lived in. Before him was a small wooden cross poking out of the ground, like a flower that refused to die.
Judas bowed his head, crossing his hands over his belt, or better said a rope that hilt his roughed up, torn, ragged brown leggings with a tunic in every way the same but for the color. A slightly darker brown hanging off his body like a massive blanket.
Judas kept his eyes closed the whole time, but no tears leaked from them. He said no prayers, no words. Just remembering that day. His long, black hair hid his face from the world he did not belong in.
“Sweetheart?” The soft voice of a woman called out from just behind one of the many trees that surround him.
Looking over his shoulder, he saw a woman with short red hair that only reached the top of her neck. She also wore a tunic like him, but hers was dark green. A brown dress went down her legs, ending at her leather shoes.
“What are you doing out here?” She asked, slowly walking up to Judas, reaching out a hand to him. “Supper is over the fire. Come home so we can celebrate.”
“I’m sorry Emily…” Judas apologized, struggling to give a smile. “I just had to come out here… It’s… it’s for a friend I lost long ago.”
“Oh,” Emily paused, pulling her hand back a bit. “Who were they?”
“A great warrior.” Judas responded. His smile getting a little stronger. “He died on this day.”
“You mean…” Emily, held her hand in front of her open mouth, seemingly shocked by the news.”
“Yes.” Judas conformed. “Today, when the Demon Lord and his Eleven Elite Evils were defeated by the Knight of Light and their Great Guild at the Battle of Night of Day.”
“I know the legendary battle. The day where the world was freed from the Demon Lord’s evil once and for all.” Emily added in.
“Yes… We were…” Judas admitted, a scene of grief in his voice.
Emily walked up behind Judas, gently wrapping her arms around him and resting her head on his back. “Do you wish to talk about it?” She lovingly asked him. Her voice as soothing breeze to Judas’ soul.
Judas took a deep breath. “No…” The only word that calmly came out of his mouth.
“I understand.” Emily lovingly grabbed his shoulders and stood on her toes to kiss Judas’ cheek. “I will head back to make sure the stew is not over cooked. Take as long as your need, but please at least be home before it gets dark dear.”
“I will, my love. I promise.” He looked over his shoulder and smiled warmly at Emily smiling back, before she headed off home.
Once she was gone and out of sight, Judas kneeled before the wooden cross and carefully dug up the grave just enough to pull out a black helmet with eleven grey spike horns coming out of it.
He softly dusted off the remaining dirty, thinking about that day as the last of the dirty was swiped away.
Judas stared at the helmet for a few minutes, admiring the craftsmanship and design of the helmet. “Hello old friend.” He greeted the helmet with a smile. “Long time, no see. A lot has changed since the loss of our Lord many years ago... this day.”
“I was able to survive and hide away out here, where no one knows who I am.” He continued talking, as if the helmet was listening the entire time. “I have a wife now. A sweet woman that I love and pray will never know the truth.”
“My skills are rusting up, but I can still slay any beast with what I currently have. Though,“ He paused for a moment, resting one hand on the ground. Taking a deep breath, he could hear it call to him to pull it out once more. “None of them are close when it comes to you, Blackdawn, my mighty blade of 665 battles.”
Judas put the helmet back into the group, burying it once more. Getting to his feet, he turned and headed home, hungry for his wife’s cooking.